Information for Higher Degree Research (HDR) Students in the School of Psychology First Year Research Proposal Review (RPR) Guidelines This document covers information specific to HDR students in the School of Psychology and is to be read in conjunction with the HBS HDR Proposal Review Guidelines and the University of Wollongong’s “First Year Research Proposal Review Guidelines” (available online at http://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@raid/documents/doc/uow030440.
pdf). Deadlines for completing proposals: The School expects PhD and DPsyc to present their RPR within 9 months of commencing their degree. MPhil students are expected to present their first year RPR within 4 – 6 months of commencing their degree. Length of Written Component: The School expects the written component of a RPR (including references and appendices) to not exceed 20 pages in length. APA formatting should be used throughout. Text should be 12 pt font and no less than 1.5 line spacing for the body of the document. References may be in 10 pt font and single spaced. Content of Written Component: The university guidelines specify that the written component should consist of a “research plan, preliminary literature review, timetable for the coming year, timeline for completion and a statement of resources required to complete the project”. Within the research plan, students must consider issues such as the research question/hypothesis, theory and method, data collection, chapter outline, and ethical, IP and safety issues. Written content should be presented in the conventions of the discipline in consultation with the HDR coordinator and the supervisor, who should be available to advise on drafts. Length of Presentation: Presentations will be scheduled within 45 minute blocks and should be no more than 30‐35 minutes covering content (see below) with 10‐15 minutes for discussion and questions. Content of Presentation: The presentation should speak to the written content but not necessarily repeat it. The presentation should focus on the research aims, significance (theoretical and practical) and methodology. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the scope of project as being appropriate for the degree. Students should be prepared to respond to questions about all aspects of their research. Committee Membership: Minimum membership requirements are supervisor(s), two academic staff capable of assessing the research proposal (where possible, one should be the HPS or their representative (or substitute if HPS is supervisor), who chairs the committee) and a postgraduate research student representative (as observer). One external/industry representative can be included if appropriate. Page 1 of 2
Degree Upgrade Proposal guidelines In the case of MPhil students wishing to upgrade to a PhD, a proposal of the PhD research project must be presented subsequent to the proposal for the MPhil research project. Length of Written Component: As for First Year RPR. Content of Written Component: As for First Year RPR with the addition of a section addressing evidence for the candidate to successfully undertake doctoral research. Length of Presentation: As for First Year RPR. Content of Presentation: As for First Year RPR with the addition of evidence of the candidate to successfully undertake doctoral research. Committee Membership: Minimum membership requirements are supervisor(s), two academic staff capable of assessing the research proposal (where possible, one should be the HPS or their representative (or substitute if HPS is supervisor), who chairs the committee, one should be from outside the school) and a postgraduate research student representative (as observer). One external/industry representative can be included if appropriate. Progress Presentation Guidelines The School of Psychology requires all HDR students to present to the School on the progress of their research project. Progress presentations are to be made to the School each year the candidate is enrolled (or equivalent part‐time). Progress presentations will be scheduled within 15 minute blocks and should be approximately 10 minutes covering content with 5 minutes for discussion and questions. The content of the presentation should briefly cover the background/rationale for the project, what has been achieved since the last presentation, focus on methodology and results, and briefly address the future directions of the project. For more information see the HDR Progress review guidelines at http://www.uow.edu.au/content/groups/public/@web/@raid/documents/doc/uow133636.
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